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I think every FLGS has the smelly fat guy. Everyone I go to has at least one. As for me I' the rocker type but the buzz-cut skin-head looking kind (I am by no means a skin head I just love having really short hair) but I try to bathe regularly, once per day but some days I just get swamped at work.
Either way I never go more than 2 days without washing up. Hell I'd just tell the person they need to bathe, it actually works & they don't take offense mostly, they truly don't notice it.

Yeah, it's always someone else who smells.

Most people can't smell their own funk, so BO is not intentional for most folk. Some people have BO associated with a health issues.

I bet some of the people responding to this thread who indicate they don't have BO have "issues" they don't realize. It helps if you're married, but friends don't seem to want to tell friends they stink. (They should)

Don't attach nonwargaming pictures to Dakka. Ta.

As OP this is probably massively hypocritical but in my old Halls of Residence the showers were so gross that I'd sometimes go up to 5 days without showering.

I'd ask my friends if I smelt but they always said no...

Wonder if I smelt musky, eheh..

Mind you, this was mostly in the winter... I HAD to shower in the summer lol.

I am amazed there are people who do not shower twice every day, and once before they go out.

I showever every morning (you do realize you sweat while you sleep) and every night before bed.

And when attending gaming cons or anything like that, I bring a spare shirt, and a cloth towel, and at lunch I go to the mens room, wash my chest and arms down, dry myself, re-deoderize and change my shirt.....

its not even a matter of smelling but a matter of feeling icky and horrible due to dirt and grime...

I'm... not that extreme about it, but yeah. Shower every day, clean clothes, deodorant, and the like. Oh, and for the record I'm one of those rocker-types mentioned in the first post (well, no beard, but I think I'm genetically incapable of a decent one), and I have to say, all kinds of nerds can smell awful, not just us. In fact, I'd say that, if they're like me, they'd shower more often because of how awful unwashed long hair feels.

Roleplayer wrote:I am amazed there are people who do not shower twice every day, and once before they go out.

I showever every morning (you do realize you sweat while you sleep) and every night before bed.

And when attending gaming cons or anything like that, I bring a spare shirt, and a cloth towel, and at lunch I go to the mens room, wash my chest and arms down, dry myself, re-deoderize and change my shirt.....

its not even a matter of smelling but a matter of feeling icky and horrible due to dirt and grime...

I certainly can't claim this level of cleanliness. I think Roleplayer wins the Hygiene Wars.

Henners91 wrote:At my uni's wargaming club, there is a massive issue with hygiene...

Most of those that go are rocker types, long hair, beards, baggy trousers with chains etc (in stark contrast to my conventional geekiness).

Anyway, almost all of them smell horrid... primarily of whizz.

As people they seem intelligent and actually quite fun to be around, a few of them get me laughing quite easily.

So what I ask is this: Why are quite clearly "normal" people so smelly? Is it common amongst wargamers? I'm relatively sure I don't smell...

I was prompted to make this thread because I saw someone whining about the same thing in the GW experiences 'un

Anyone else have smelly wargamers at their clubs?

Or could it literally be because they're rockers?

Ugh, this hits close to home. This is actually one of the reasons why I like to game at HOME, and not at our LGS. I'm a girl with an oversensitive nose, and add to the fact that it seems that girls rarely play 40k, you would think that most guys would think about the whole "I stink like a cat box" thing. So much for wishful thinking; there's a ton of stinky gamers and they're all over.

Im not sure if this is hygiene related or some sort of "anti pheromone"

But lots of people in wargaming have a certain type of smell and they cant seem to detect themselves.

Rinkydink wrote:In my games room we are all washed down first by nubile waifs, showered with Hugo and then sat down with a brandy and cigar as we shovel troops into the meat grinder.

Lingerie models drift by the tables, awarding bonus game-points to the most fragrant.

By the time the rose petals float down from the ceiling, we all laugh at our dirty brethren whose little ruddy noses are pushed up to the window.

This had me chuckling.

As a metalhead with a beard the length of your troops' assault range, hair to mid-back, currently wearing what were once pants and a Dark Funeral T-shirt, both of which are now more hole than clothing, I can say with confidence that the only time a passerby would notice my reek is if I'm fresh from the pit of a New Brunswick basement show (scientifically proven to be some of the stuffiest, sweatiest places on earth). Usually, I'm less offensive in my odor than most, if only because I manage to avoid significant man-stink and have the courtesy and taste not to douse myself half a can of Axe (male-targeted deodorant/cologne spray, to those unfamiliar with the plague). In my experience, "the stank" isn't something specific to metalheads or wargamers, it's mostly people who don't have enough social contact to get the reinforcement that it's socially unacceptable. I've known a depressing amount of seriously skanky folks in my meager 22 years, and while there are a few who (usually as a "statement") don't give a , the majority really don't seem to know any better, be they too engrossed in their horde of lvl. 80 characters, studying, or just being too socially inept find their way into the smell-range of company. The gamers (of whatever persuasion) almost always fall into the latter category and with greater frequency that many other "types" of people. Sad, but true. I'm happy to count myself as one of the exceptions to the majority of negative stereotypes associated with my look, hobbies, and musical tastes.

This thread made me put on two deoderants (1 bar, 1 spray) and i am now going to brush my teeth.

Yeah, I probably stink, but I think its only because I bathe, not shower (its just really nice and relaxing )

Maybe ive just lived in Japan too long

I shower atleast once a day, and use body wash and deodorant. I imagine I simply smell bad because I am a teenager.

Well, all the 40k players at my store are decently hygienic, and in relatively good shape.

The RPG people (DnD and such), on the other hand, are almost all massively obese and don't wear deodorant at all.

What I love is after an 8 hour tounament the haze of humanity that the game room gets. It ismixture of sweat, tears and shame with a touch of desperation for flavor.

best thing to do is rub your head on their neck if they smell and claim your a lion marking them with its scent. if they ask why tell them its because they smell bad. if they just look uncomfortable then let them know they smell and your marking it. if they rub back remind them you initiated it and they are the strokee not the stroker.

Simple. rwaring quietly also adds to the realism.

^ Lulz

The pheromone point earlier got me thinking... maybe some of us have taken so long to show any progress with the wimminz to mother nature that she simply decides to do the genepool a favour and sabotage any potential sex life by producing this so-called "anti-pheromone", thataway no little socially-akward kiddy-winks'll get cranked out one day.

It always used to be teenagers who had the personal admin issues, but as it has become more expensive to get your own property this has led to many in their twenties and even beyond still living at home, for many this is an excuse to just not grow up so there are now an increasing number of "adults" who are living as teeneagers do and therefor just not growing up. Teenagers tend to go one of two ways, they either rebel against society and do things which don't conform such as grow long hair, wear scruffy clothes and not wash. Or they become super clean and fashion conscious in an attempt to get their end away. Now the ones who are trying to get the girls are more interested in spending their money on clothes, their first car and taking said strumpet for a slap up McDonalds. The others who have poor hygein tend to be drawn into any number of geeky past times (wargaming included) where traditionaly there is a lack of girls to worry about.
A major part of this is bad parenting. It is the parents who should have instilled the need for good personal hygein not just for the benefit of those around you but for any number of health problems that can arrise from being a grubby little goblin.
I have had the unpleasant task of informing others of their whiff, responses have ranged from embarasment, denial, tears and anger. It's a bit like when Simon Cowel tells people on X factor that they have no talent, if done properly the results can be highly amusing, however as said previously it is far kinder for a close friend or family member to have a quiet word than to be loudly kicked out of a shop for smelling like a mixture of fox piss and twigletts.

I had a small (well, large considering it was my home) tourney, of about 16 people.

this one guy when I he got to his third game I had to DQ because he threw his shoes at my fish tank. (thats a WTF) and ever since then, my moms cofee table has smelt like stale foot.

and, you know in upmarket brisbane, thats kindof disturbing, especially since most of the guys I'm friends with are good people... this guy just doesn't wash. and he lives with his parents.
so weird.

Pipboy101 wrote:I think this sums it up for you:

That is a hilarious announcement poster to have up at MTG event, because 10+ years ago when I sometimes played MTG tournaments I frequently had to sit back from the table the entire time because of the horrible smell of my opponent. I once heard some players smell intentionally to put their opponents off their game.

My friends and I used to just take deodorant sprays with us to tournaments, and when someone stank we kept spraying it all around him.

Imo there really is no excuse for people to go out like that. It is anti-social even.

We used to have a serious hygene problem in the wargaming circle at my FLGS, but those smelly numbers have dwindled recently. I don't mind that I have fewer people to play against, at least my nose isn't being raped by funk.

Now the role-players and card flippers on the other hand....

I always carry a can of deodorant with me, as much for other people as myself. Anyone who reeks will have it quietly, and politely, pointed out to them, then the use of the spray will be offered. I hope that if i ever reek, someone would do the same for me!

The local GW is pretty good for funkiness; the only time it's ever a problem is when it's busy, and it's pretty hard to pick out one nasal offender in a room of 25+ people. Unless you want to go around sniffing everyone in turn that is....

I went to my local FLGS to pick up an order on a Saturday last month. They were having a 40k tournament, but the AC went out. They had a repair guy there working on it, but the games went on! They had a fan, after all. And the door was open. But it didn't help.

10 - 12 teenagers
June
Houston, Texas
No AC.

I couldn't get out of there fast enough. Some of it rubbed off on me. My wife was in the car and asked, "What stinks?" It was me. My clothes had adsorbed some of the smell of the funk in less than 5 minutes.

lol, if you think that sign is funny, our local store has it painted on the wall in the back with the rest of the rules: "BO is a no-no!"

This thread's got me thinking though, I'm always self-conscious about my smell and I don't usually get complaints, but now I wonder if I really do stink, lol...that and I'm starting to think I should switch to a different deodorant, since Axe is apparently not "courteous"?

Sidstyler wrote:I'm starting to think I should switch to a different deodorant, since Axe is apparently not "courteous"?

I think it is just if you bathe in the stuff - can be as bad or worse than just having bad BO

Roleplayer wrote:Maybe ive just lived in Japan too long

And while for 3 seasons your level of cleanliness is a bit more than is needed, during the Japanese summer your approach almost identical to my own.

I believe on the whole gamers don't really smell worse than the norm. It's just that there is a certain percentage of the population who lack a basic grasp of how to interact with ordinary people in an ordinary social situation. And these people are drawn to escapist hobbies like gaming, anime, star wars, etc. They make up a tiny percentage of the members of that hobby but put out a smell more powerful than the rest combined.

Am i the only one who straight doesnt care and will tell them to their face they should probably go home and shower, because theyre making everyone else sick?

Had to handle that situation a few times ... yea i guess i can come off like a donkeycave, but jeez who doesnt use deoderant and shower?

There are two rules concerning Axe body-spray and cologne:

1. They are for AFTER showering, not INSTEAD OF showering.

2. A little dab will do you. A little goes a long way. It only takes a little bit. DON'T FREAKING DUMP THE BOTTLE ON YOUR HEAD.


I am very sensitive to perfumes, deodorants, and such. Over use affects me as much as bad BO. Perhaps worse.

I agree. Not a big fan of smelly players. Espeaclly going to a touney post-lunch time. I rember going to play at a LGS before the change in ownership and there was a guy in the gaminign group who would noisly conusme burgers and soda on a hot day (the AC wasn't good at this place becuse one day the owner somehow forgot to pay the bill) and peww it was like I was downwind or soemthing all the scents of 30+ gamers waifting to the game tables.

However one of the many reasons why I game at night. Less hot ness, and I get time to shower myself.

Nothing like showing up to a game and you have 65+ million year old sediment all over everything. You pretty much smell like Dust , Outdoors, and other stank.

None of the people in my group smell. Ever. Thats just gross. Seriously you know your going out to a public event, why wouldnt you wash up? I mean at least a clean up in the sink or something. Ive been to stores and such where people playing just reek of nastyness and its not fun.

Most of those that go are rocker types, long hair, beards, baggy trousers with chains etc (in stark contrast to my conventional geekiness).

Anyway, almost all of them smell horrid... primarily of whizz.

Hrm...hell's angels whizz on each others jeans and never wash them...do they have motorbikes?